EDITORIAL EDITORIAL Will Lowry, editor, Fastener + Fixing Magazine

Football and fasteners

After Germany’s success at the FIFA World Cup the country can rightly state that it has the best football team in the world. However, it is not just football that Germans excel at – the country is also renowned for its fastener manufacturing.

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ur July issue includes a ‘Made in Germany’ feature that looks at the vast fastener manufacturing capabilities within the country. Articles include an insight into leading washer manufacturer – Adolf Pühl – and its

ability to produce standard and non-standard flat washers and pressings; GESIPA explaining how it has developed into an international company for blind riveting technology; and Metall-Kunststoff-Technik underlining its anchoring technology and commitment to quality. There are also articles from Mubea Tellefedern, Heinz Soyer, E.U.R.O Tec and Lueg-Stanztechnik – all showcasing their individual manufacturing prowess. For those of you who like to keep up with developments within

the industry, the News section is a must read with details on some key acquisitions and partnerships – involving American, European and Asian companies that will affect the entire fastener industry. The Cover Story is an interview with Jan Melichar, owner of MEKR’S s.r.o. Mr Melichar talks about how the Czech company

CONTENTS

INDUSTRY NEWS Europe and World ..............................................................10-22 Perspective ............................................................................. 24 North America ...................................................................26-30 Russia + CIS ......................................................................32-34 Asia ......................................................................................... 36 Brazil ......................................................................................38

COVER STORY MEKR’S – taking stock ......................................................40-41

EXHIBITIONS Events Calendar ..................................................................... 42 News ..................................................................................44-48

MADE IN GERMANY Pühl – pressing ahead ............................................................50 High-quality disc springs ....................................................... 52 ’Made in Germany’ approval ................................................... 52 E.U.R.O Tec: On the path to success ...................................... 54 Blind riveting technology ........................................................ 56 Stainless steel fasteners ‘Made in Germany’… ......................58 Committed to anchoring technology ......................................58

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INSIGHT Owlett-Jaton announces distribution agreement...................60 Purchasing driven by experience ........................................... 62 Reaching the fastener user .................................................... 64

CONSTRUCTION FIXINGS News ..................................................................................66-74

FOCUS ON Construction Fixings ..............................................................75

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY Defined by quality ..............................................................76-78 News ..................................................................................80-90

MANAGEMENT + SYSTEMS News ..................................................................................92-96

CATALOGUE RACK UK + Ireland..................................................................... 98-101

PRODUCT NEWS Application Technology news ........................................102-106 Tools news .....................................................................108-116 Products news ...............................................................118-128

INDEX ...................................................................................130 Fastener + Fixing Magazine • Issue 88 July 2014

was established, the key points in its development, and how the company ensures that it provides quality products and service to its customers. Further articles include two unique features in the

Manufacturing Technology section. Firstly, I had the pleasure to visit CTR Manufacturing Group and speak to Managing Director James Blanchfield about the company’s recent investment plan. James explains how the investment plan has been used to introduce new machinery and will enable the business to continue to grow. There is also an article from Carlo Salvi in which the Italian based company focuses on its newly introduced 616 WS model – a 6-die progressive header – and the possibilities it offers users. To add to this there are the regular sections – Construction Fixings, Tools, Application Technology and Products – all of which have news on the latest innovations.